Read More

And on Friday it was claimed a clown brandished a knife at school children in a public park in Ballymoney.

In Cullybackey, a picture was posted over the weekend allegedly showing a clown outside a college.

Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann urged communities to help stamp out the “pathetic” problem ahead of the Halloween school holidays.

He added: “I issue a plea to young people who may be considering taking part in the pathetic killer clown craze which is now sweeping Northern Ireland – please think twice before someone is either seriously hurt or dies.

“What may seem like a bit of fun, could end up in a criminal record that could affect the rest of your life.

“The act itself is highly irresponsible where sad individuals get a kick out of scaring old and young alike. If this childish and potentially fatal ‘craze’ is not eradicated, we could have a situation where an elderly person, or any individual with a heart condition, dies from the fright.

“I am raising this serious issue after a photo on social media, reportedly taken outside Cullybackey College, was brought to my attention.

“These killer clown craze activities tie up over-stretched PSNI resources as well as providing cover for other crime.